Thursday, September 10, 2009

Two videos produced by Westminster College students won honorable mention in the The Christophers' 22nd Annual Video Contest for College Students.

The Christophers, a non-profit organization that encourages people to use their talents to make a positive difference in the world, asked entrants to create a short film-five minutes or less, narrative or documentary-on the theme "One Person Can Make a Difference." Winners received a cash prize.

Westminster students Michelle Bistrica, Dana Kerkentzes, Nora Poremski, Erin Wall, and Mandie Zoller produced "Finding a Fur-Ever Family." Founded by Lorraine Vesceri and Linda Leitel, Fur-Ever Family has been home to hundreds of stray cats in Ellwood City and beyond. The video shows how one loving and caring cat shelter has changed so many lives. View the video at http://www.vimeo.com/4476105.

Westminster students Michael Gess, Christina Hamill, Christina Roseto, Lori Wise, and Ashley Zemba produced "From His Table to Yours." Almost four years ago, 200,000 individuals became victims of Hurricane Katrina. In an attempt to provide some relief, Jim Moose has devoted his life to building a kitchen table for each family in need through the Western PA Table Project. The video is available at http://www.vimeo.com/4476027.

The students were part of communication studies instructor Keith Corso's Mass Communications class last spring.

"This is the second year that students in the Mass Communication class have entered their semester documentary projects in the Christophers' contest," Corso said. "And, like last year, we have two student groups that have placed in the contest. Not only do the students get a sense of what storytelling is all about, but the theme of ‘One Person Can Make a Difference' prompts them to look for those people in their community who positively impact the lives of those around them."

Contact Corso at (724) 946-7235 or e-mail corsokf@westminster.edu for additional information.

About Westminster College...
Founded in 1852 and related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Westminster College is a top tier liberal arts college and a national leader in graduation rate performance, according to U.S. News Guide to America's Best Colleges. Westminster ranked third among liberal arts colleges in social mobility, according to the Washington Monthly College Guide, and is one of the most affordable national liberal arts colleges in Pennsylvania. Westminster is also honored as one of "The Best 371 Colleges" and "Best in the Northeast" by The Princeton Review, and is named to the President's Honor Roll for excellence in service learning.

Nearly 1,600 undergraduate and graduate students benefit from individualized attention from dedicated faculty while choosing from 41 majors and nearly 100 organizations on the New Wilmington, Pa., campus.